Brassavola Orchid, Lady of the Night
It is quite easy to recognize a Brassavola among other orchids. If you see a
white flower with green colored, elongated and narrow sepals and petals it should
be a Brassavola. The tips of the three upper sepals and two lateral petals are
forming a pentagonal pattern or a star-shaped configuration. And if it spread a
pleasant citrus smell at night, it is definitely a Brassavola orchid. No doubt.
It is quite easy to recognize a Brassavola among other orchids. If you see a
white flower with green colored, elongated and narrow sepals and petals it should
be a Brassavola. The tips of the three upper sepals and two lateral petals are
forming a pentagonal pattern or a star-shaped configuration. And if it spread a
pleasant citrus smell at night, it is definitely a Brassavola orchid. No doubt.
Brassavola is named to honor a famous Italian physician and botanist,
Antonio Musa Brassavola. This orchid is a genus that includes about 20 species,
and has a close relation with the Cattleya family. The majority of Brassavola
are epiphytes while some are lithophytes.
It is native to the tropical region of central and southern part of America including the Caribbean
islands. “Lady of the night” is referred to Brassavola nodosa due to its
intense fragrant at night. Some records show that Brassavola nodosa was the
first orchid that has been successfully brought to and cultivated in Holland .
Their reproduction is through an extended,
stem-like pseudobulb which produces a single tender leaf. It can grow at a
maximum of 10 inches and produce flowers that could thrive about 5 – 30 days.
The flower bloom as singles or in small clusters.
The most suitable temperature for a Brassavola to grow and bloom
successfully should not be cooler than 55º – 65ºF or 13º – 18ºC during winter
nights and between 65º – 75ºF or 18º – 24ºC during the day.
Light is the most critical factor in caring for this orchid. With sufficient
light the leaves will normally produce red spots which you can notice above the
green background of the leaf. If it does not show any red spot, then you should
move your orchid to another place with brighter light.
Potting should be provided with exceptionally good drainage or you can let
them grow on a mount bark and hanged. A good pot media may include perlite,
coarse sphagnum, charcoal chips and fir bark. Since Brassavola can tolerate
prolonged period of scanty rainfall, it will be easier to handle mounted
Brassavola indoors compared to the majority of other orchids.
It is also good to steep your orchid in water for about 15 minutes 1 – 2 times in a week. This will provide the chance for the fat white roots to absorb sufficient amount of water to produce turgid leaves. Brassavola can tolerate low humidity as low to 40%. Extra humidity by the means of spraying and the use of humidity trays during their growth period will produce better blooming.
It is also good to steep your orchid in water for about 15 minutes 1 – 2 times in a week. This will provide the chance for the fat white roots to absorb sufficient amount of water to produce turgid leaves. Brassavola can tolerate low humidity as low to 40%. Extra humidity by the means of spraying and the use of humidity trays during their growth period will produce better blooming.
